Birth Of Octuplets Spurs Debate

One young mother and her eight new babies are causing quite a stir in the news recently. Because of the details surrounding Nadya Suleman’s case, the ethics involved in the birth of her octuplets has become much debated over. Suleman, who is a 33-year-old single mother ofsix children from previous in-vitro procedures, currently lives with her parents.

Nadya Suleman's mother, Angela Suleman, has expressed concern over her daughter’s actions and recently told the Associated Press that she was not supportive of her decision to have more children. Angela Suleman has told the press that her daughter was obsessed with having children and has talked about it since she was a teenager.

The Associated Press reports that all of the 8 babies, 6 boys and 2 girls, were delivered by Cesarean section. The babies weighed anywhere between 1 pound, 8 ounces and 3 pounds, 4 ounces. Seven of the eight babies are breathing on their own while one remains on a respirator. It took 46 doctors and staff to assist in the delivery of these octuplets.

Much of the recent debate has been about whether doctors should have offered the 33-year-old mother of six the option to undergo in-vitro fertilization treatment. Ethicists also question why the doctors would have implanted so many embryos. And still others worry about how the mother will raise 14 children, now ranging in age from newborn to 7 years old and whether she will end up relying on public assistance.

A former caregiver to Nadya Suleman’s autistic son, Yolanda Garcia, spoke with the Long Beach Press-Telegram about the mother’s recent delivery. She said, “From what I could tell back then, she was pretty happy with herself, saying she liked having kids and she wanted 12 kids in all.”

What do you think of the news about the recent octuplet birth?

Do you think doctors are at fault for allowing this mother to receive fertility treatment?

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The doctors should not have implanted her with so many embryos. Obviously people can have as many babies as they want, but I think this is irresponsible and harms the children and the environment. If you love kids so much adopt 8 kids, but to give birth to 14 kids seems like a lot. How can she care for that many when she is single AND I read she doesn't have a job - she relies on her parents to help pay for everything.

In situations like this (single, six children and living with her parents), the doctors should consider psychological issues regarding the mother. When you adopt children you endure psychological screenings, income evaluations, housing situations etc. It is grueling. Yet any 33 year old, unemployed single mother of six can walk into a fertility clinic and be implanted without any consideration for what type of situation these children are being brought into. I think the Doctors are irresponsible and they should have insisted on counseling and evaluation of the mother before allowing this to happen. She will now relish in all of the freebies the world will throw at her for the first few months. Then where will she be, relying on her parents to babysit or drive her to the welfare office.

I'm having a real problem with this. She already had six children and the doctors knowing that still implanted her. She should have been referred to a mental health doctor. Now who's going to support these children? We are with tax payer dollars and assistance. I'm having enough trouble supporting my own child (only child)!

I would like to know how she paid to be implanted with these babies when she has 6 children already living with her parents? I am sure just didn't walk in and get it done for free! I think that child welfare should investigate this situation.

After I first heard of the births and people saying that it was ridiculous I was shocked that people would think that other people shouldn't have the right to have kids. But after finding out that she is single? and has 6 kids already is RIDICULOUS! I don't want to say anything about doctors because how many times to the implant that many eggs on other women and women either don't get pregnant or have one or two kids. I just think that something is seriously wrong with the mother. How do you expect to take care of 14 CHILDREN! I have two and I think about that everyday. Its not right that tax payers would have to help.

They should of never let her do the treatment, considering she already has 6 kids. I thought that proceedure was for woman who had probblems concieving. I also heard that she works at fertility clinic, so whos to say the proceedure was even legal to do. I feel sorry for those little babys. This was a carless decission on this ladys part.. Lets all pray that the babys survive, for they are the victims of this whole mess.

The main issue is, can she care for all of these children? It is one thing is she can provide and care for all of these children, but if not then who is she really thinking about herself and her wants or her children?

I thought it was a wonderful thing. To give this woman a family. Until I heard how many children she already had at home. Who could be so irresponsible to give this woman IVF when she did not need to have it. I know what it is all about to have these issues but When you have that many children already there was no need to put these babies at risk for all the problems that could occur.

The birth of children is a blessing from God and happy is the man whose quiver is full of them. However, she didn't rely on God to provide her with children she took matters into her own hands and she will reap the consequence of taking on so heavy a burden and will obviously need the support of family and volunteers around the clock to care for so many. I have five children, three that I birthed and two adopted sons both age two from different mothers and I am a stay at home mom, former professional and I have a hard time keeping my sanity. The joy is immense, but the hard first two years is ahead for this woman and I feel her pain.

My first question is; "who paid for all of the medical procedures so for?..the IVF, all the prenatal care, all the Dr.s and Hospital bills?" I'm sure tax payers!!! I will never understand why that is allow. If you can't/or won't take care of yourself financially why on earth should these Dr.s have helped her bring 8 more children into this world. The only thing I can think of is to get "Their Own Little Moment Of FAME!" SHAME ON EACH AND EVERYONE involved!!! Where are they going to be with the life long care of raissing these children? Unbelievable!!!